Maryland House passes education bill that could expand state control in religious, private schools
Caroline MolloySchool choice and parental rights advocates are opposing a bill that recently passed the Maryland House of Delegates, raising concerns that it would expand government control over private and religious schools if it becomes law.
The measure, “Advancing Equal Educational Opportunities for All Students in Maryland” (HB 649), bans discrimination on the basis of “gender identity” or sexual orientation in educational institutions and establishes that complaints of discrimination will could lead to charges of civil rights violations. The bill authorizes the Commission on Civil Rights to investigate and enforce the new discrimination rules at schools.
The bill additionally establishes a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue over alleged violations of the discrimination law.
The bill says single-sex schools, religious private schools, and some other private schools would receive certain exceptions. The bill’s opponents, however, say that the exemptions are limited and narrow, leaving religious and private schools with considerable religious freedom vulnerabilities.
All other public and nonpublic educational institutions would be required to adhere to the discrimination policy.
